August at Green Light Pharmacy

August 2007 focus topic: Summer - The Heat, and Sunburn

Heatwave

During summer young children under 4 years of age, and older people - especially those who live alone or in care homes, are at particular risk from the effects of the heat. Others at risk are those suffering from mental health problems, those with dementia, people suffering from chronic ill health e.g. breathing or heart problems, people who are physically active such as manual workers.

In August 2003 about 27,000 people across Europe, including 2,000 in England died as a result of the heatwave, 80% of these people were aged 75 and over. This is due to dehydration and heat exhaustion, which can cause irreversible damage to various internal organs leading to death.

In a severe heatwave the body can overheat, and dehydrate with the following symptoms:

  • headaches
  • nausea
  • an intense thirst
  • sleepiness
  • cramps in arms or legs
  • hot red and dry skin
  • a sudden rise in temperature
  • confusion and aggression
  • convulsions and a loss of consciousness

To avoid dehydration and heat stroke:

  • Plan your day so you stay out of the heat
  • Avoid going out 11am-4pm - the hottest part of the day
  • If you go out, stay in shade, wear a hat and light, loose cotton clothes
  • Carry water
  • At home take cool showers or baths - splash yourself with cold water, particularly face and back of your neck
  • Eat as normal. Eat more cold food - salads and fruit. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which can increase dehydration.
  • Check on older relatives to ensure they are staying cool, and drinking plenty of fluids.

For more information see the NHS's Heatwave pamphlet.

Sunburn

In the UK there are 65,000 cases of skin cancer each year, with 2,000 deaths per annum.

Good sunscreens (broad spectrum sunscreens) protect against both UV B - which cause the redness of sunburn - and UV A rays - which causes long term damage like premature aging, and DNA damage leading to cancers. Unfortunately UV A damage is cumulative - meaning each exposure increases the chance of damage. Unfortunately in some sunscreens the UV A protection is not as good as the UV B protection, so while you are not "burning" you are still damaging the cells of the skin - especially if you think you can stay our longer in the sun as you have put on sunscreen. A sunscreens SPF is a measure of it's protection against UV B, but not UV A which uses a star rating instead - go for 5 stars. A high SPF may not guarantee high UV A protection and lead you into a false sense of security as you are not burning.

Sunscreen are but just one defense against the damage of the suns rays, also avoid the sun between 10 and 4 when the sun is at it's strongest, wear protective clothing eg hats and clothing that covers the arms and legs, wear UV sunglasses.


Using sunscreen:

  • apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun
  • apply to clean, dry skin and rub in only lightly
  • use generous amounts
  • re-apply every 2 hours, or more frequently if washed, rubbed, sweated off or after swimming
  • put on before make-up, moisturiser, insect repellant etc
  • don't use it to spend longer in the sun - this will put you at risk of sun damage.

Cancer Research UK's Sunsmart page.



The information given here is of a general nature, for particular information talk to your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you have any other diseases, are taking other medicines, suffer other conditions or pregnant etc.